Wildfire smoke map, August 14, 2012

Map showing the distribution of smoke from wildfires, at 2:12 p.m. MT, August 14, 2012. (Click to see a larger version.)

Smoke from wildfires is degrading visibility in many western states. Some scenic spots that normally attract hordes of tourists have been affected to the point where, for example, you pull off the highway into a turnout that normally has a spectacular view of the Grand Teton, but the only thing visible where the “Grand” is supposed to be is a gray shadow of a ridgeline.

The areas that are most affected include Wyoming and southern Idaho. Much of the smoke is being produced by fires in northern California, Oregon, Nevada, and Idaho.